Netflix gets a major facelift, but it may not come to your TV

Today, when you use the Netflix streaming service to watch a TV show or movie, how Netflix looks and behaves depends on the device you’re using.

Netflix looks one way on a Roku, another way on an Apple TV, and yet another way on a Smart TV. That’s not really the best experience, so the company has decided to unify its look across multiple platforms. However, whether you’ll get the new design – which becomes available today – depends on the device you have.

The information provided about each show has been tweaked, and the new design includes more personalization. You’ll be told why a particular show is being recommended. For example, if one of your linked friends on Netflix likes a particular, you’ll be told about that.

A redesign of post-play, the feature that automatically starts the next episode of a TV show or shows recommendations after watching a movie

But you may never get to use this new interface. Netflix executive Chris Jaffe tells The Verge that some device manufacturers won’t be upgraded, such as Nintendo’s Wii and Wii U, AppleTV and Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox One. Those companies will be keeping their own interfaces. Only about 50 percent of existing devices will get the update.

According to Netflix, here’s how the roll-out will work:

The updated Netflix TV experience rolls out globally beginning on Nov. 13 and will take about two weeks to reach all devices. The update will go to devices including PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Roku 3, and new and future Smart TVs and Blu-Ray players. In addition, some recent Smart TVs and Blu-Ray players may receive this based on manufacturer’s update plans. Roku 2 will receive this update early next year.

How do you watch streaming Netflix? I mostly use an AppleTV, so I won’t be seeing the new interface there, but I also use a Roku 3 for watching Aereo and Amazon On Demand. I’ll check out the redesign there.